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Hey guys, how many watts per channel do I need to keep a small bar pumping? I have 2 sets of Bose 901s that I haven't used in years, one rated 250 per channel and1 rated 350 and up. Would these work and do amp/mixers still accept wired connectors?

It looks like the Bose 901 is not a PA Speaker. So in a bar, I would not recommend using them.

If you want so save money, you should look into PA Package deals, even though the powered mixer in these deals is most of the times not sufficient. But at least it would be a start.

Sorry, just looked on zzound.com and they don't have package deals.

Anyway, look here:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/li ... d-packages

Thanks Sevarin. I will take a look at that!

Hey Sevarin, I checked these out. With limited expertise, I am thinking the first Behringer would be sufficient. 400 watts, is that per channel? Is that enough for a small bar? It only has 12" woofers, I've heard it's best to have at least 15". Also I don't see a key controller, isn't that pretty much necessary?

The key controller is (or at least SHOULD be) either included in your CD+G Player or your Karaoke Hosting Software. I don't know, which way you wanna go, Computer or Disc Player.

The Behringer Set is not a bad starter package. The good thing about this particular package are the powered speaker. So you have for sure the right power for the speakers.

A 15" woofer would add more bass to your system, but I think for a small to medium size venue, this is a sufficient package deal. Especially for the price. The mixer has some nice features, too.

You could still add a powered sub woofer down the road, if you feel the bass is not enough.

Sounds solid. So the key control on my compuhost screen is the same thing? It goes in increments of .5 +/- up to 12 with a button in the middle to kick it back to zero.

Appreciate your help.

Yup, that's all the key control you need for CompuHost.

I second Sevarin on the applicability of the package. You aren't going to find a better deal for $700.

Those speakers are going for $280.00 a piece right now, which means you are getting an 18-channel mixer, four cords, two mics (XM8500s, the best $20.00 mic made) and two speakers stands for $140.00. That is a helluva deal.

The cables will be junk, though, and I recommend you use the four supplied cords for the two speakers, replacing them as they fail (or as you get better cables). Buy some quality Live Wire or better lifetime guarantee cords for your mics.

If I were starting out with a budget of $1000,00 or less and needed a complete system, I would get that package and buy a Shure SM58 and a couple of new mic cords for $150.00 more. I would spend $99.00 for an MDX1600 compressor as well, with some cables. For $1000.00 you would have most of what you need to have an very good sounding show for a small venue.

_________________
[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

You guys have been very helpful. I should tell you I have purchased two wireless Shure sm58 (one a beta)and I already had a $30 radio shack uni mic. Today I got the two pairs of 901's out, cleaned them off and took pictures of them in prep of selling them on ebay. I hate to part with them, had one pair since 79 and the other since 80. I always told my wife she would go before them, she's been gone since 94! So if I buy that set you guys have recommended, I am pretty close to being set up. Just not sure what wires I will need, and then at some point something to organize everything in.
Still, sad to part with those speakers!

Once you get your package and need further assistance, let me know. Good luck on your little adventure!

Thanks buddy. I hope you are back up on your feet soon!

Newbie question. What does the compressor do? This system have enough watts to rock a small bar? I'm ready to click the "buy" button now!

That should be plenty for a small bar, yes.

The compressor evens out the vocals, takes care of peaks. Very practical for screamers, or the scared one, who all of a sudden remembers the chorus and belts it out.

Correct me, if I'm wrong...

I see now. $100 I wasn't counting on but my old Bose on eBay should cover that. I tell you, I like the compuhost format but my laptop drive wouldn't read mp3 or wma, they've been using me as an experiment to try different beta programs. I'm on hold now. Can't wait to get through all this crap! I spend 15 hours ripping cdgs last weekend, none of them will play!

And the wattage? Will it rock the house?

When I think of the single most important variable needed to "rock" the house, I think of CLEAN BASS. And in my opinion, you should be running a minimum of two 15" mains that can handle at least 500 watts each to REALLY rock the house.

Of course, there are plenty of people who think that "rock" is just volume, and in that case, you can get plenty of volume out of 35 watts, it just isn't going to be very clean and will sound muddled in the mid/lows and lows.

BUT, not all specs are created equal. Just like a 200HP Subaru will run laps around a 200HP Kia, you have to have QUALITY COMPONENTS/MATERIALS, or else the wattage and size of your woofer are irrelevant. I can make you two 15" mains that drives 500 watts and pair them with a 500 watt/channel amp for under $100 if you want me to, but they quality will suck big time due to the low-cost components. The type of high/low drivers, the weight and quality of the woofer, the shape and type of wood used in the cabinet, the quality of the internal crossovers....these things matter much more than the wattage and woofer size.

If you can save your $$$ or find a refurbished or slightly used set, I think the best value in powerhouse speakers out there for a mid-sized venue are the Yamaha S115Vs. Match those with an amp to drive them (like the Yamaha P5000S), and you'll have the backbone of a good system that will take the wear and tear of whatever you throw at it for 5+ years. You should be able to find the speakers new for around $300 each and the amp new for about $500. Find all of them factory refurbished or slightly used, and they should be around $800 total.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

Those speakers put 400 watts 'PEAK'. Their continuous power is only rated 250 each speaker.

http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/B212A_ ... 41e61f.pdf

Page 8 is the specs. Not very powerful but if it's a small bar, it should sound ok. Just don't crank them loud.

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I agree here. This is a nice combo & will 'rock'!

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

If you can more than double your budget, sure, go for it.

_________________
[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

That's why it was said IF they can wait & save up a little more, they'd get a much better system instead of just getting something now that may not 'rock' the house. Again not knowing how small the bar is & his definition of 'rock' the house means, could mean a big difference on what they should save up for.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Ok guys, so if I go this way, is the yamaha strictly an amp or mixer/amp?